Ramin Hedeshy

Ramin Hedeshy

PhD Candidate

University of Stuttgart

Biography

I am a PhD candidate and scientific employee at Stuttgart University’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence, working under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Steffen Staab. My research focuses on human-computer interaction, particularly multimodal interaction combining eye tracking with touch or non-lexical voice input.

Currently, I am working on the EXIST-funded project Semanux, which aims to make the digital world more inclusive by enabling people with disabilities to control the computer via their individual capabilities.

I have published papers on novel methods of eye typing at ACM CHI and ACM ETRA. In addition, I tutor courses in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Retrieval, and Machine Learning at the University of Stuttgart and supervise student theses. Prior to pursuing my PhD, I gained seven years of industry experience working for companies such as Bliksund in Norway and Union Betriebs-GmbH in Bonn, where I contributed to various web-oriented IT projects, including a rules proposal and version control system that is used by the German federal parliament (Bundestag) and the personal homepage of Angela Merkel.

Interests
  • Human-Computer Interactions
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Information Retrieval
Education
  • PhD in Human-Computer Interactions and AI, 2024

    University of Stuttgart

  • MSc in Web Science, 2019

    University of Koblenz-Landau

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Semanux GmbH
Founder & CTO
October 2023 – Present Stuttgart, Germany

Semanux makes the digital world more inclusive by enabling people with disabilities to control the computer via their individual capabilities. This innovative venture is a spin-off from the University of Stuttgart, funded through the EXIST Research Transfer program, which aims to transform academic knowledge into products that enhance people’s lives.

At Semanux, we have implemented several strategies I proposed during my academic career to improve accessibility. One of our key achievements is the development of an AI system that recognizes users’ non-verbal expressions, providing a novel communication method for those with speech impediments. This work not only showcases our technical expertise but also our commitment to creating a more inclusive digital world.

 
 
 
 
 
University Stuttgart
Doctoral Researcher
April 2020 – September 2023 Stuttgart, Germany

As a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Stuttgart, my research was centered on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a particular emphasis on Multimodal Interaction, Accessibility, and Artificial Intelligence. I have had the privilege of publishing papers at highly esteemed conferences in these fields, contributing novel methods and insights to the academic community.

One of my achievements includes the publication of a novel method for eye typing, which was presented at the ACM CHI conference. In addition, I have published a benchmark dataset for classifying non-verbal voice expressions. This work introduced an intelligent system capable of recognizing expressions such as approval humming (i.e., ‘uh-hum’), marking an advancement in the field of audio signal recognition.

Beyond research, I am actively involved in academia as a tutor for courses in Human-Computer Interaction, Information Retrieval, and Machine Learning at the University of Stuttgart. I also supervise several student theses, guiding the next generation of researchers in their academic journey.

 
 
 
 
 
Union Betriebs-GmbH
Senior Full-stack Web Developer
August 2016 – March 2020 Rheinbach, Germany
The Union-Gesellschaft (UBG), headquartered in Rheinbach and permanent establishment in Berlin is the economic operation of the Christian Democratic Union. During my time at UBG GmbH, I developed a rules proposal and version control system that is used by the German federal parliament (Bundestag). Additionally, I was entrusted with the task of implementing the personal website of the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel.
 
 
 
 
 
Bliksund AS
Senior Back-end Developer
June 2015 – March 2016 Grimstad, Norway
Developed a RESTful web service for the Bliksund app used by the majority of hospitals in Norway. Bliksund is a leading provider in the digital transformation of emergency services.

Recent Posts

Recent Publications

(2023). Patent: Computer-implemented method and system for hands-free selection of a control on a screen. DPMA.

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(2021). Hummer: Text Entry by Gaze and Hum. CHI ‘21.

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(2020). GIUPlayer: A Gaze Immersive YouTube Player Enabling Eye Control and Attention Analysis. ETRA ‘20.

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